Barometric Patents (Class 119/77)
  • Patent number: 11744233
    Abstract: A cover assembly for covering a container of pollen substitute comprises a lid member for engaging the container of pollen substitute. The lid member has an opening for bees to access the container contents and a removable cap element covers the lid member opening to divert water from entering the lid member opening while leaving a gap for bees to enter between the cap element and the lid member. A combination nectar feeder and pollen feeder is also provided. The cover assembly may be configured with ornamental shapes to approximate the design of a flower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Michael J. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 11684038
    Abstract: A sensor assembly on a swine-activated self-feeder allows monitoring or tracking of individual animal feeding activity, thereby allowing corrective action to be taken in instances of under-feeding or over-feeding by an animal. The sensor assembly includes a sensor on the feed dispenser and, with a printed circuit board to generate a signal corresponding to activation of the dispenser by an animal. The signal can be sent to a computer or website which generates reports on the individual animal's feeding activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Dave Klocke
  • Patent number: 11267642
    Abstract: A portable thermal insulated apparatus for cooling or heating items stored therein. The thermal insulated apparatus includes a container having a lid that removably secures to an open first end thereof and a reservoir unit that removably secures to an open second end. The container includes an inner tube and an outer tube forming an insulated double-wall sealed at both ends in which the lid and reservoir unit can be connected thereto. The reservoir unit removably receives a thermal unit that provides cooling or heating to the contents of the container when affixed thereto. The thermal unit is separable from the reservoir unit, such that the thermal units are interchangeable as needed. In some embodiments, the thermal unit is directly securable to the lid and the second end of the container is permanently sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Lara Vu
  • Patent number: 11147246
    Abstract: A hummingbird feeder is provided that includes a nectar container removably coupled to a feeding basin having at least one feed port therein and a flower assembly fitted within the feed port. The flower assembly includes a flower body and a mounting member fitted in the center of the flower body, the mounting member having an elongated tapered passageway through which hummingbirds can access nectar in the feeding basin. The mounting member also has a semi-conical exterior geometry that facilitates mounting of the flower assembly within the feed port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Luke Benjamin Haney, Steven Charles Lorraine
  • Patent number: 10849315
    Abstract: An Oriole bird feeder having a nectar reservoir with a base and a tapered port, and preferably a tapered port/perch assembly, is provided. The bird feeder allows Orioles and other similarly sized members of the Icterid family of birds to land on the perch and access the nectar in the reservoir base while, due to the diminishing taper of the opening in the tapered port, simultaneously preventing average sized Italian, Carniolan and Caucasian honey bees from entering the reservoir base through the port to obtain the nectar where they subsequently become trapped and perish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventor: Luke Benjamin Haney
  • Patent number: 10835084
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a liquid. The apparatus includes a monolithic container to store a liquid. The monolithic container has a lower reservoir from which to dispense the liquid, an upper reservoir substantially adjacent to the lower reservoir to replenish the liquid in the lower reservoir, and a narrowing between the upper and lower reservoirs. An exit port communicates with the lower reservoir and is oriented in an upward direction relative to the lower reservoir. A corresponding system and method are also disclosed and claimed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Earth Dispensing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Quinn Jay Adamson
  • Patent number: 10687517
    Abstract: A bird feeding device is provided. The device comprises the ability to house food for attracting and feeding birds and other animals. The device is further capable of being provided in various modes of operation including a stationary mode of operation and a portable mode of operation. The portable mode comprises a support or attachment member for connecting the feeding device to a user, and wherein the bird feeding device is conveyed along with a user and operable to attract birds to the user even when the user is mobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: Chad Tribble
  • Patent number: 10595505
    Abstract: A bowl assembly having a bowl and a fill cup. The bowl is configured to be supported on a barrier at a first barrier side. The fill cup is configured to be supported on the barrier at a second barrier side that is opposite to the first barrier side. The fill cup and the bowl being capable of being connected together through an opening in the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: David Veness
  • Patent number: 10279067
    Abstract: A fragrance diffuser has a diffuser element connecting a first reservoir to a second reservoir. As a fragrant oil flows between the reservoirs, the diffuser element becomes saturated with oil and diffuses the fragrance or scent. The diffuser is self-contained, easy to interact with, without creating a mess. The diffuser is relaxing and pleasant to watch as it flows through from one end and drips to the other, releasing one small bubble at a time. It is refillable, transportable, and the intensity of the scent release can be controlled easily by saturating the wood more or less often.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Hya-Scent, Inc.
    Inventors: Helena Zaludova, Martin Schnitzer
  • Patent number: 10124355
    Abstract: Sprayer devices and related methods. The sprayer devices can be of a type that may be carried or worn on the back of a user. Each sprayer device has a tank, a spray outlet (e.g., a spray nozzle or spray wand) and either a manual or power pump. The sprayers may also incorporate one or more of the following: a) a brace member for deterring bending or deformation of a bottom bracket on the sprayer, b) a pump axle with redundant rotation-limiting stop members useable for either right-handed or left-handed operation, c) system for selective and/or controlled agitation or non-agitation of liquid within the sprayer tank and/or d) an information card holding niche with removable information card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Pedro Wirz Luchsinger
  • Patent number: 10098321
    Abstract: A cold water dispensing device for dispensing cold water to animals includes a first housing that has a first top, which is open. An orifice is substantially centrally positioned through a first bottom of the first housing. A reservoir, which has an open neck complementary to the orifice, is positionable in the first housing. A second housing is couplable to the first bottom of the first housing. The second housing extends transversely past a front of the first housing. The second housing has a second top that is open. A bowl, which is complementary to the second housing, is insertable through the second top to rest on a second bottom of the second housing. The reservoir containing ice is invertably positioned with the open neck through the orifice. Melt from the reservoir collects in the bowl to provide cold water to pets or other animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: Shannon McKay
  • Patent number: 9854757
    Abstract: A position adjustable self-watering apparatus controllably dispenses water and nutrients by transmitting water from a primary reservoir to a second end of a tube, and selectively dispensing the liquid over a desired region of the soil. Capillary motion through a dual action wick carries the water. The tube adjustably positions over a desired region of soil through multiple means. Anchor rods that support the primary reservoir can selectively couple with correlating reception apertures in the bottom wall of the primary reservoir. Repositioning of anchor rods enables the primary reservoir to move relative to the plant container. Additionally, the tube incrementally and fixedly reorients in multiple directions. Additionally, when the container edge wedges between the anchor rod and the sidewalls of the primary reservoir, the primary reservoir slides along the container edge to a desired region above the soil. A primary reservoir valve helps regulate the flow of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Riki Carvalho
  • Patent number: 9591834
    Abstract: The removable seed tray is quickly and easily removable from a removable bird feeder base that is attached to the main tubular body of a bird feeder. The seed tray effectively serves the function of a seed tray while also permitting access to the portions of the removable base to permit the removable base to be detached from the tubular bird feeder body while the seed tray remains attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ASPECTS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. DiOrio, Marco Wo, Dana Chicca, Joseph Cacciola
  • Patent number: 9474253
    Abstract: A hummingbird feeder that includes a flower petal shaped attractive structure attached to the hollow body of the feeder around a feeding hole and a removable, replaceable, and non-bulky feeding tube designed to be removably placed within the feeding hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: PLOW & HEARTH, LLC
    Inventors: Janice M. Coughlin, Tere Eggleston
  • Patent number: 9314004
    Abstract: An apparatus and method allows at least a reservoir portion of a bird feeder to be relieved of its mounted hanging condition and replaced thereto in a facilitated manner. A mounting structure normally remains in an attached state with an elevated support, such as a tree limb, pole or the like, and a bottle or other reservoir for containing feed material (or reservoir assembly, which may optionally also include a feeding station, decorative parts, etc.) is selectively engageable therewith. Advantageously, cooperating structure of the reservoir itself and the mounting structure allow coupling and uncoupling of each. By virtue of this arrangement, when exhausted of feed, a spent reservoir (or the entire reservoir assembly) can be easily removed from its suspended above-ground state, and either refilled and replaced, or more preferably, simply recycled and replaced with a new pre-filled reservoir/reservoir assembly, in the manner of a cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Lawrence I. Wechsler
  • Patent number: 9295204
    Abstract: A liquid storage and delivery system includes a reservoir and a storage container. The storage container has a main body with a hollow interior, and is configured to hold a reserve volume of the water. The main body has an upper wall and a lower wall. The hollow interior is disposed between the upper wall and the lower wall. A refill conduit is in communication with the hollow interior of the storage container. An air conduit is in communication with the hollow interior of the storage container and the reservoir. A liquid passage is in communication with the hollow interior of the storage container and the reservoir. The liquid passage is configured to deliver the water from the storage container to the reservoir. The liquid storage and delivery system is particularly useful for the watering of plants and animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Dung B. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9192148
    Abstract: A feeding apparatus for use in dispensing feed formula to hummingbirds or other animals. The apparatus comprises a reservoir containing a ready-to-consume and preservative free feed solution for birds. The walls of the reservoir are made of a metal layer and a paper or plastic layer to provide a barrier to light, oxygen, and flavor to maintain the feed solution in a substantially sealed environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventor: David S. Hill
  • Patent number: 9089111
    Abstract: An oriole jelly birdfeeder is provided that includes a jelly holding container, a base having a feeding platform and a connecting element for connecting the base to the container, and a mixing mechanism. The mixing mechanism includes a mixer element and a mixer handle which are coupled to one another and rotatable together. The mixer element includes a paddle positioned within the connecting element to enable the user to mix and distribute the jelly, which is held within the container, onto the feeding platform as needed by rotating the mixer handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan King, Judith Kim Hoysak
  • Patent number: 9078411
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for restricting access by a pet to food in a feeding bowl in which a covering piece is supported at an elevated position extending partially over food in the bowl, thereby impeding access to the food thereby deterring a too rapid ingestion of food. The pedestal is preferably detachably fixed to the bottom of the bowl as by a suction cup mount. The covering piece can be detachably mounted to an upper end of the pedestal to be easily replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventors: David Frederick Simon, Jeff Magsitza
  • Patent number: 9066495
    Abstract: A food and/or water delivery and receiving device especially suited for pets including a receiving dish, an elongated delivery tube, and a handle, where the food and water delivery tube is generally disposed vertically relative to the ground and is fluidly connected to the dish at a first end and open to receive food and/or water at a second end, and where the delivery tube further includes an ergonomic handle extending generally perpendicularly from a point near the second end of the delivery tube and where the open second end of the delivery tube is further configured to hold a bottle or other conveying device for liquid or food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventor: Andrew Boyden
  • Patent number: 9032908
    Abstract: A liquid hummingbird feeder is provided with a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, and a valve mechanism adapted to close the bottom opening to enable the liquid container to be filled through the sealable top opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Stone, Oliver McLachlan, David Harting
  • Patent number: 9004007
    Abstract: A nectar feeder for hummingbirds is disclosed. The feeder includes a container configured and arranged to store nectar feed. A spout depends from the bottom end of the container with an exit port defined thereon. A base tray positioned below the container and contains nectar feed. A vertical member extends from the base tray. A float engages at least one vertical member to prevent substantial independent lateral movement of the float within the base tray. The float also includes a rounded bottom surface to further help stabilize it on the liquid feed to prevent leaking. The float has a stopper therein positioned below the spout. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the stopper engages the exit port on the spout to prevent fluid from flowing into the base tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Aspects, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Faunce, Barry D. Colvin, Rolf Richter
  • Patent number: 8893660
    Abstract: The suspended bee/bird watering device has a first embodiment specifically designed for dispensing drinking and cooling water to bees. A second embodiment is specifically designed for dispensing drinking and cooling water to birds. Both embodiments employ common features, such as a support rod, suspension hooks, insulated water reservoir, and dish-like container. Both embodiments are designed to be suspended from a support, such as a tree limb or wall. The first embodiment employs a porous, fibrous dispensing structure that allows the water to drip (in minimal amounts) from the reservoir into the dish. The second embodiment incorporates an elongate tube having an opening therein for conveying water from the reservoir to the dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Mubarak H. M. Sh. Kh. Al-Azemi
  • Patent number: 8863691
    Abstract: The present invention is a nectar feeder for birds. The nectar feeder has a container for storing nectar feed. A base tray is connected in fluid communication with the container. A float is positioned between the container and the base tray. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level to prevent fluid from flowing into the base tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Aspects, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Colvin, David Guay, Rolf Richter
  • Patent number: 8863692
    Abstract: A nectar feeder for hummingbirds is disclosed. The feeder includes a container configured and arranged to store nectar feed. The container has a top end and a bottom end. A spout depends from the bottom end of the container with an exit port defined thereon. A base tray positioned below the container. The base tray is further configured and arranged to contain nectar feed therein. A vertical member extends from the base tray. A float is positioned between the container and the base tray. The float engages the vertical member to prevent substantial independent lateral movement of the float within the base tray. The float carries a stopper with a substantially flush surface positioned below the spout. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the stopper engages the exit port on the spout to prevent fluid from flowing into the base tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Aspects, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Colvin, Rolf Richter
  • Patent number: 8720374
    Abstract: A liquid hummingbird feeder is provided with a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, and a valve mechanism adapted to close the bottom opening to enable the liquid container to be filled through the sealable top opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: John Stone, Oliver McLachlan, David Harting
  • Patent number: 8695535
    Abstract: A liquid nectar hummingbird feeder has a reusable base with a feeding basin that receives a disposable cartridge containing a pre-filled volume of liquid nectar. The cartridge has a single bottleneck opening at a lower end which is initially sealed by a breakable seal in the form of a film layer of foil, coated paper stock, plastic or the like. The base includes a cartridge mounting and opening structure adapted to secure and open the cartridge bottleneck opening by rupturing the film layer seal to allow liquid nectar to flow from the cartridge into the feeding basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Mateer, Christopher J. Kamery, Marko Lubic
  • Patent number: 8522718
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder has a generally upstanding liquid container with a large opening at its top end that is closed and sealed by a removable top or cap. The cap has a two-part construction including an outer shell and an inner sealing member. The inner sealing member includes a sealing element in the form of a vertically elongated, reinforced sealing ring that is received within the top of the container with a friction fit to automatically form a cork-type seal when the outer shell is threaded onto the container. Unthreading of the outer shell pulls the sealing ring out of engagement with the container to remove the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Cruz, Marko Konstantin Lubic
  • Patent number: 8474407
    Abstract: A top-filling watering system configured to provide water to livestock, includes a water basin having an upstanding wall, and a reservoir securely mounted to the water basin. The reservoir includes a top wall integrally formed with a circumferential wall defining an open end connected to an interior cavity defined between the top wall and the circumferential wall. A filling opening is formed through the top wall. The filling opening is configured to allow water to be filled into the interior cavity. Another reservoir is capable of nesting within the interior cavity when the reservoir is not securely mounted to the water basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Philip E. Chumbley
  • Patent number: 8387566
    Abstract: Described is a gravity-induced automatic animal watering/feeding device that promotes increased sanitation and minimizes the amount of water/food spilled from the device in the event the device is overturned. More specifically, the animal watering/feeding device presents consumables, including water and animal food, to the animal using a receptacle that is removable from the remainder of the device. Because the receptacle is removable, it is easily replaced and/or removed for cleaning such that sanitation of the animal watering/feeding device is easily maintained. Additionally, selected components of the animal water/feeding device are releasably locked to one another such that the device minimizes the amount of water/food that is spilled from the device in the event it is overturned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jason R. Graves, Marc E. Brush, Ben T. Ferguson, III
  • Patent number: 8245667
    Abstract: A liquid nectar hummingbird feeder has a reusable base with a feeding basin that receives a disposable cartridge containing a pre-filled volume of liquid nectar. The cartridge has a single bottleneck opening at a lower end which is initially sealed by a breakable seal in the form of a film layer of foil, coated paper stock, plastic or the like. The base includes a cartridge mounting and opening structure adapted to secure and open the cartridge bottleneck opening by rupturing the film layer seal to allow liquid nectar to flow from the cartridge into the feeding basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Mateer, Christopher J. Kamery, Marko Lubic
  • Patent number: 8161907
    Abstract: A device and method designed to provide a continuous supply of liquid to livestock is presented. The one-piece device comprises a storage tank and a drinking bowl. The storage tank can have a filling access hole for filling the tank. The tank can have at least one drinking bowl access hole which allows access from the tank to the bowl. Both the filling access hole and the drinking bowl access holes can be opened and closed. While filling, the drinking bowl access hole can be closed. After filling, the filling access hole can be closed and the drinking bowl access hole can be opened allowing liquid to flow from the tank into the bowl. Gravity and air pressure within the tank maintain a constant liquid level in the bowl while simultaneously preventing liquid from overflowing the bowl. A heating element can be placed into the tank to prevent freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Double C Ranch Supply LLC
    Inventor: Cory Michael Craig
  • Patent number: 8100085
    Abstract: A liquid hummingbird feeder is provided with a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, and a valve mechanism adapted to close the bottom opening to enable the liquid container to be filled through the sealable top opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: John Stone, Oliver McLachlan, David Harting
  • Patent number: 8051803
    Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder has a generally upstanding reservoir bottle or liquid container with a large opening at its top end that is closed and sealed by a removable top or cap. The bottom of the bottle or container has a lower bottom opening which can be screw-threaded into a central collar of a feeding basin that has a plurality of feeding ports. A tubular insert is received within the central collar and is configured to be vertically movable between a first position in which fluid is allowed to flow from the liquid container to the basin, and a second position in which fluid flow from the container to the basin is prevented. Movement of the insert between the two positions is effected by pushing the liquid container toward the basin (the closed position) and by pulling the liquid container away from the basin (the open position).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Gauker, Marko Konstantin Lubic, William R. Vaughn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8028658
    Abstract: A liquid bird feeder provides a liquid container having a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to attach to the liquid container and adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid. The liquid tray includes a bottom port passing through the liquid tray and vertically aligned with the bottom opening, and a valve mechanism adapted to selectively couple the bottom port of the liquid tray to the bottom opening for filling purposes, or to close the bottom port and couple the bottom opening to the liquid tray for supplying liquid from the liquid container to the liquid tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: John Stone, Oliver McLachlan, David Harting
  • Patent number: 8011324
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing drinking water to an animal includes inner and outer annular walls which define a water supply reservoir. The inner wall forms a draw reservoir that is in communication with the water supply reservoir to replenish water in the draw reservoir and maintain the level of water in said draw reservoir equal to the level of water in said water supply reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Warganich
  • Patent number: 7958845
    Abstract: A bottle cap for fitting on a mouth of a bottle to form a bird feeder is disclosed. The bottle cap comprises a first chamber with a opening for receiving the mouth of the bottle, wherein the bottle cap snaps onto the mouth of the bottle. A second chamber is provided with a closed bottom. A sealing ring is located between the first and second chambers so as to provide a seal between the bottle cap and the mouth of the bottle when the bottle cap is snapped onto the mouth of the bottle, wherein liquid is free to move between the first and second chambers. At least one feeding port is provided in a side wall of the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Stewart C. Gardner
  • Patent number: 7946249
    Abstract: The present invention is a nectar feeder for birds. The nectar feeder has a container for storing nectar feed. A base tray is attached to the container and connected in fluid communication with the container. A float is positioned between the container and the base tray. A ball is positioned on the float. The ball regulates the fluid communication between the container and the base tray. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the ball prevents fluid from flowing into the base tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Aspects, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Colvin, David Guay, Rolf Richter
  • Patent number: 7891319
    Abstract: A liquid bird feed is provided with a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, and a valve mechanism adapted to close the bottom opening to enable the liquid container to be filled through the sealable top opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: John Stone, Oliver McLachlan, David Harting
  • Patent number: 7849817
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing drinking water to an animal includes inner and outer annular walls which define a water supply reservoir. The inner wall forms a draw reservoir that is in communication with the water supply reservoir to replenish water in the draw reservoir and maintain the level of water in said draw reservoir equal to the level of water in said water supply reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel Warganich
  • Publication number: 20100251967
    Abstract: A liquid nectar hummingbird feeder has a reusable base with a feeding basin that receives a disposable cartridge containing a pre-filled volume of liquid nectar. The cartridge has a single bottleneck opening at a lower end which is initially sealed by a breakable seal in the form of a film layer of foil, coated paper stock, plastic or the like. The base includes a cartridge mounting and opening structure adapted to secure and open the cartridge bottleneck opening by rupturing the film layer seal to allow liquid nectar to flow from the cartridge into the feeding basin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Chad Mateer, Christopher J. Kamery, Marko Lubic
  • Publication number: 20100242848
    Abstract: A liquid bird feeder provides a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottleneck extension at its other end, and a liquid tray having a well adapted to receive the bottleneck extension and at least one feeding port. The sidewall of the well is provided with at least one drain hole and the sidewall of the bottleneck extension with at least one port. The container and bottleneck extension are rotatable within the well to selectively align and misalign the port with the well drain hole to respectively open and close the drain hole upon rotation of the container. In an alternate embodiment, the bottleneck extension is fitted with a collar rotatable with the container. The collar is received in the liquid tray well and includes the at least one port. A liquid flow path is formed in the liquid tray for each feeding port to reduce the volume of nectar in the tray at any given time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: William R. Vaughn, JR., Christopher J. Kamery, Robert Theodore Cruz, Andrew Gauker
  • Publication number: 20100192866
    Abstract: The hummingbird feeder of this invention has an initial storage and shipping configuration and a final feeding configuration. In a first embodiment, a transparent fluid reservoir contains a feeding solution that is dispensed through a punctured thin diaphragm into a cap cavity of a bottom cap threaded on the reservoir. In a second embodiment a removable sealer cap initially keeps the feeding solution in the reservoir. In a third embodiment, the feeding solution is dispensed by removing a “peel-away” diaphragm from the reservoir. Each feeding assembly has a red feeding guide and a feeding tube with an aperture for the hummingbird to access the feeding solution. Perches supported by the bottom cap are provided for the hummingbirds to rest. The feeding solution is made aseptic and bacteria free to help keep it from spoiling. The top of the fluid reservoir has a moat filled with an insect inhibiting material to protect against insects and ants reaching the feeding solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph E. McMullen
  • Patent number: 7743732
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a bird feeder having an adjustable sealing feeding port. The feeding port may be moved from a first position to a second position with respect to the rest of the feeder. More specifically, the bird food may be secured within the bird feeder when the adjustable sealing feeding port is in the second position and the bird food may be accessible to birds while the adjustable sealing feeding port is the first position. The adjustable sealing feeding port may have a stopper made from, for example, plastic or rubber which may create a liquid tight seal with the body of the bird feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Akerue Industries LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Randall Webber
  • Patent number: 7685969
    Abstract: A liquid bird feeder provides a liquid container having a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to attach to the liquid container and adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, wherein the liquid tray includes a bottom port passing through the liquid tray and vertically aligned with the bottom opening, and a valve mechanism adapted to selectively couple the bottom port of the liquid tray to the bottom opening for filling purposes, or to close the bottom port and couple the bottom opening to the liquid tray for supplying liquid from the liquid container to the liquid tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: John Stone, Oliver McLachlan, David Harting
  • Patent number: 7624702
    Abstract: The automatic pet watering apparatus provides for very limited human intervention in the operation after installation. No power supply or animal training is needed. The saddle valve provides for supply hose attachment without need of plumbing tools or expertise. Essentially, the only component of the apparatus which may require adjustment or replacement is the inlet valve. The overflow hose provides a safety measure should the valve ever stick, allowing drainage to a chosen area. The semi-ellipsoid shaped bowl housing also has a cavity whereby mass may be added. Flexible supply hose, feed hoses, and overflow hose provide for convenient location of the apparatus components. More than one feed hose can be provided, and more than one bowl housing with bowl can be provided, allowing one reservoir to feed a plurality of bowls, negating added expense when more bowls are needed to either feed more animals or feed one animal in more than one location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Paul L. Fritz
  • Patent number: 7600487
    Abstract: A liquid bird feeder provides a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, and a valve mechanism adapted to close the bottom opening to enable the liquid container to be filled through the sealable top opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: John Stone, Oliver McLachlan, David Harting
  • Publication number: 20090078211
    Abstract: This invention entails the re-design of existing hummingbird feeders that have an upper nectar reservoir with mating base holding the lower nectar reservoir. Please refer to Drawing SKETCH 12006 This is a re-designed hummingbird feeder that lowers the base nectar level approximately one fourth inch (¼?) and out of reach of flying insects, thus eliminating their presence and removing the nuisance and the possibility of painful stings to people. This is a re-designed hummingbird feeder that eliminates the presence of flying insects and their robbing of nectar, thus reducing the expense of nectar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Charlton
  • Publication number: 20080230009
    Abstract: A device and method designed to provide a continuous supply of liquid to livestock is presented. The one-piece device comprises a storage tank and a drinking bowl. The storage tank can have a filling access hole for filling the tank. The tank can have at least one drinking bowl access hole which allows access from the tank to the bowl. Both the filling access hole and the drinking bowl access holes can be opened and closed. While filling, the drinking bowl access hole can be closed. After filling, the filling access hole can be closed and the drinking bowl access hole can be opened allowing liquid to flow from the tank into the bowl. Gravity and air pressure within the tank maintain a constant liquid level in the bowl while simultaneously preventing liquid from overflowing the bowl. A heating element can be placed into the tank to prevent freezing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Cory Michael Craig
  • Publication number: 20070277738
    Abstract: An automatic pet watering device is provided. The watering device includes a storage container with a pair of flow control devices linked together for simultaneous operation where when the filling flow control device is open, the dispensing flow control device is closed and vice versa. A muzzle guard may be provided in a drinking bowl portion of a dispensing tray arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: William M. Dentsbier